A former Chairman of the Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Girie Salihu Bakari, on Friday formally joined the 2027 governorship race, declaring his ambition on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
The declaration, which followed a visit to the APC State Secretariat, drew a large crowd of supporters who converged on the venue in a show of solidarity, chanting party slogans and waving banners.
Addressing journalists after meeting with newly inaugurated state executives of the party, Bakari said he had officially notified the leadership of his intention to contest.
“I visited the secretariat to congratulate the new executives and to formally inform them of my decision to run for the governorship under the APC,” he said.
The aspirant hinged his ambition on what he described as over three decades of experience in public service, noting that his background as an educator, administrator and policymaker has equipped him with the capacity to lead the state.
According to him, his record in office, particularly in the education sector, demonstrates his commitment to development and service delivery.
Bakari recalled his tenure at SUBEB, where he said he oversaw the construction of thousands of classrooms, establishment of new schools and recruitment of teachers across the state.
He added that reforms introduced during the period also improved teachers’ welfare and strengthened supervision, especially in rural communities.
The former SUBEB boss also cited his time as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, where he said he implemented measures aimed at enhancing transparency and curbing corruption in council administration, including the introduction of electronic payment systems.
On healthcare, he pledged to prioritise access to medical services for women and children, particularly in underserved rural areas.
At the core of his declaration was a 10-point development plan, which he described as a “covenant” with the people rather than a conventional manifesto.
He said the agenda would focus on key sectors including education, infrastructure, healthcare, youth empowerment, agriculture and women development.
Bakari promised to ensure free and quality primary education, while strengthening secondary and tertiary institutions in the state.
He also outlined plans to expand rural infrastructure through the provision of roads, water, sanitation facilities and maternity centres across communities.
The governorship hopeful further pledged to address youth unemployment through skills development and job creation initiatives, noting that a significant proportion of the state’s population is made up of young people.
He stressed the need for targeted programmes to empower women, describing them as critical to socio-economic development.
In the agricultural sector, Bakari said his experience as a farmer has exposed him to the challenges facing the industry, promising to promote mechanised farming and improve access to inputs.
He also expressed support for traditional institutions, pledging to sustain ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance structures.
The declaration has since generated discussions within political circles, with observers noting that the turnout of supporters signals early momentum ahead of the APC primaries.
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